Despite significant improvements in maternal mortality and child health over the past few decades, the rural poor people remain largely unaware of the nutritional advancements necessary for child growth.
In Debhata Upazila of Satkhira district, however, the scenario is notably different. Recognizing that nutrition is a fundamental right of every child and understanding its profound impact, residents are now committed to providing their children with nutritious food.
The ‚Right to Grow‘ project and the active involvement of Civil Society Organization (CSO) members have informed residents of five unions in this upazila about these critical issues, according to a media statement on Sunday.
A visit to the Debhata Upazila reveals a notable level of awareness among residents. People are now giving special attention to the health of both mothers and children.
Recognizing that children have specific nutritional needs at different stages, parents have taken on the crucial task of preparing appropriate food lists, a responsibility they fully embrace following their newfound awareness.
The ‚Right 2 Grow‘ project, implemented by the international development organization, has been the key in driving this remarkable change within the community.
Right2Grow is a consortium advocacy project funded by the Dutch Government and implemented by six development organizations-World Vision Bangladesh, Action Against Hunger, the Centre for Economic Governance and Accountability Africa (CEGAA), Max Foundation, Save the Children and The Hunger Project.
The project is being implemented in 5 unions of Debhata Upazila under Satkhira districts.
Project data reveals that 80 Civil Society Organizations or CSOs in this upazila are actively working to improve child nutrition. The CSOs engaged in the ‘Right 2 Grow’ project have played a key role in fostering this awareness.
Jaganmay Prajesh Biswas, project manager of World Vision’s ‘Right 2 Grow’ project, explained that CSOs are engaged and trained in advocacy methods to boost local nutrition.
He added that this five-year project is serving approximately 70,000 people of 15,000 families in five unions.
One of the project’s beneficiaries, Kulsum Khatun from Chaltetala village in Parulia Union under Debhata Thana, shared her experience during a recent conversation.
She noted that regular meetings are held to enhance child nutrition. “I learned that children should be kept clean, fed nutritious food, and dressed in good clothes,” she said.
Now, Kulsum’s 3-month-old daughter, Sathi, is being raised with these practices.
Many, including Taslima, Rehana, and Rokeya, share Kulsum’s view, noting that mothers are becoming more aware of their children’s nutritional needs and development.
Golam Farooq Babu, Chairman of the Parulia Union Parishad, told the reporters, “World Vision has inspired us by showing how we can improve child nutrition.”
He has also allocated Tk 75,000 for the nutrition sector in his Union Parishad this fiscal year.
In conclusion, the ‚Right to Grow‘ project in Debhata Upazila of Satkhira district is making significant strides in raising awareness about child nutrition among residents. Through the active involvement of Civil Society Organizations and the implementation of targeted programs, parents are now better equipped to provide their children with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. This initiative serves as a model for other communities to follow in addressing the nutritional needs of children in rural areas.